Several of us were in part of this area late last August. We went off trail down Slide Canyon and then up Camp Creek and over to Wilson Creek to descent to Matterhorn Canyon. If I recall correctly, Wilson Creek just below Benson Pass was dry. There might have been a tiny trickle there but just can't remember. We had already filled up at a tarn much higher up. Matterhorn Creek will be runninby tomdisco - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I suspect he's taking a vacation from all the frequent posting. It can wear a person out after several years worth of effort. Jimby tomdisco - General Discussion
Quoteeeek QuotetomdiscoOf particular concern is parking for the Cathedral/JMT trail, especially on weekends. They'll be eliminating the parking at the trailhead and moving it to where the current visitor center is. I understand that. I just don't believe they will do it in a fashion that will be adequate. New parking area design tends to be dictated by money and/or lay of the land. Will eiby tomdisco - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Many years ago in Maine we owned a white shepherd dog who loved to go swimming in a nearby pond and then roll in mud or even cow patties if he could find some (delightful). One day a neighbor who was missing a few brain cells called the local game warden to inform him she had sighted a "wild white pig" running loose! She was so upset about it that she would not leave the house. Sinceby tomdisco - General Discussion
I find it hard to believe they are going to provide sufficient additional parking to accommodate all the roadside parking. Of particular concern is parking for the Cathedral/JMT trail, especially on weekends. Parking for hikers in/out of TM is already pushing the limits. There's a limit to how lucky you can get using the road to the stables or the Dog Lake parking lot, depending on the day orby tomdisco - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
QuoteDave Tylenol makes a great fire starter.... but then you have to use a match to light it.by tomdisco - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I will not comment on your route selection or that suggested by others. What I question is whether or not the two of you are really up to 17 days of continuous hiking! This is not the Adirondacks. Your schedule would wear out all but the more ambitious of us. Perhaps I'm over cautious from my experiences traveling to Yosemite from the east coast to go backpacking. The summer heat, altitude,by tomdisco - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
QuoteDave The extreme northern part of California has always attracted people not very well connected to reality. Is that group still hanging around Mt Shasta waiting for the UFOs to come? They are, I just did an internet search. They believe there is an alien base inside Mt Shasta. They claim to have pictures of them flying out. They must have some killer weed up there. It's true,--no sh...!by tomdisco - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quoteplawrence Quotetomdisco eeek, Ever notice how little use the new forum gets that's titled, "Photography advice, critiques and tutorials"? Folks just don't seem to want to go there. New forum??? That forum has been around since December 2010... . Wow! And maybe 4 posts since then.by tomdisco - General Discussion
eeek, Ever notice how little use the new forum gets that's titled, "Photography advice, critiques and tutorials"? Folks just don't seem to want to go there.by tomdisco - General Discussion
Quotechick-on Plan on really bad mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are only not bad in July if it's been a really big snow year and you stay mostly in the snow. Wifie and I have been doing northern yose every july for a bit now ... various variations on all kinds of great stuff up there. So many options. You've mentioned what is in every guidebook. It's what peeps do if they've done longer trip up derby tomdisco - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
"Just Keep Walking" needs to take "basilbop"out for some fresh air.by tomdisco - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
For the first week of July there will be no snow on passes but plan on some mosquitos. Mid-August is soooo much better for avoiding the bugs! I also don't think there are any water crossings to be concerned with, especially with CA drought conditions so prevalent. I believe you will cross Matterhorn Creek 4 times. If it's your first time in this region I would recommend sticking with your traiby tomdisco - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Cat, Your English is better than that of many Americans.by tomdisco - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Steve, If you really have the time I would recommend taking the long route around Piute Mountain. I've not been beyond Volunteer Peak on the PCT but from photos I've seen the next several miles of the PCT should not be missed. Kerrick Canyon is also spoken well of. If by chance you had the time I would also recommend taking the small loop around Rodgers Lake and back onto the PCT, or alternatby tomdisco - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Quotechick-on Hello. CJ... In the meantime... Enjoy this Photosynth atop Quarry Peak http://photosynth.net/view.aspx?cid=5e81758f-8e40-4a8b-bf45-fafd1271418f The rest of the crew would be in this picture if we were not lying down waiting for chick-on's return. We would still be a tough find, even with the zoom feature.by tomdisco - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Get a life folks. Pizza in eastern CA sucks. Yeh, I know. Bring it on!by tomdisco - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quoteparklover Quotetomdisco Quoteparklover That would have been interesting to see. I was there. Did you see me? I saw you! You must have been hidden so well that I did not see you. The person you thought was me was my alter ego that never leaves Yosemite but lurks behind trees and rocks. I was having fun with you, referring to my avatar.by tomdisco - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quotebasilbop Quotetomdisco Thinkin' of the parrot and "Yummy". Miss you folks. "Yummy"? Would that be "Cupcake"? :-) I could not help referencing her description for desirable soaking spots in streams. Kind of stuck with me since "yummy" is usually associated with food, not streams. The things we remember!.by tomdisco - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Thinkin' of the parrot and "Yummy". Miss you folks.by tomdisco - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Quoteparklover That would have been interesting to see. I was there. Did you see me? I saw you!by tomdisco - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Wow! I never knew. They even get a name tag and uniform. Apparently we need more of these volunteers.by tomdisco - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
You know how website forum administrators occasionally assign certain active, reliable, dedicated members "moderator" status imbued with certain powers? Perhaps the NPS ranger service could do something similar w/ live back country volunteers. Yep, empower chick-on and others w/ an "almost a ranger" badge, a citations pad, satellite phone, and limited enforcement privilegesby tomdisco - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Could not help noticing expanding capacity of Wawona stable services. Just what we need--more stock on the trails.by tomdisco - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Happy birthday from another slightly lesser olde dude. Wished I could have met you last August. Jimby tomdisco - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Matt, Probably most any of the trails out of Yosemite Valley, Wawona, or Hetch Hetchy would be O.K. (there are many). It sort of depends on what time in May. In a normal year you could pretty well plan on running into snow either on the ground or coming down in a storm in the early half of the month. In this year's drought condition the likelihood of late season storms seems highly questionabby tomdisco - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Quotechick-on Once you start zooming in.. it looses it's charm quickly. 360+ from Sentinel Dome from Christmas: http://photosynth.net/view.aspx?cid=fcd3281e-f0c0-4338-a931-c50e934e53f4 Full screen and zooming in and out. That's what makes the synths for me. If one moves the screen all the way up or down you realize chick-on appeared from a black hole. Nice transport system for peak baggiby tomdisco - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Quoteplawrence Quotetomdisco In late August five of us ate supper at a bar & grill in Bridgeport called Rhino's. I think all of us were pretty pleased with the quality of the salad and sandwich plates available. I personally think it was better than anything available in Lee Vining. Was the dinner before or after your group's backpacking trip in August? I ask because it's a scientifiby tomdisco - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
The reason I mentioned bar & grill style was that these places often have rather good food. In late August five of us ate supper at a bar & grill in Bridgeport called Rhino's. I think all of us were pretty pleased with the quality of the salad and sandwich plates available. I personally think it was better than anything available in Lee Vining. I'm not a huge fan of Whoa Nellie Deli bby tomdisco - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion